STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1845-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.R. No. 57

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.R. No. 57, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO DETERMINE AND CLEARLY DEFINE JURISDICTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONOPOU BRIDGE AND TAKE COORDINATED ACTION TO ADDRESS RELATED SAFETY, WILDFIRE RISK, AND EMERGENCY ACCESS CONCERNS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Transportation to determine and clearly define jurisdictional responsibility for Honopou Bridge and take coordinated action to address related safety, wildfire risk, and emergency access concerns.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation.

Your Committee finds that Honopou Bridge, located along Honopou Road in east Maui, provides vital access for residents, agricultural operators, cultural practitioners, and emergency responders serving properties makai of the bridge. Your Committee further finds that east Maui communities are geographically isolated and face heightened vulnerability to wildfire, flooding, severe weather, and medical emergencies. Your Committee also finds that prolonged jurisdictional ambiguity has contributed to delays in implementing structural upgrades necessary to ensure adequate emergency-response capacity for Honopou Bridge.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 57, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair